I feel a certain maniacal glee when my local friends confess that they like my blog despite the hunger pangs it induces – except for when they drool over a particularly scrumptious set of food pictures only to find out that the meal in question took place in another country. Bahahahahaha!
Here is an excerpt from my travel journal:
Friday June 3rd I get up early and have a leisure morning. I make the artichokes and eat one before heading out. I accidentally stay on the bus and get out and go back. Spice and I take a very cute streetcar down to Kensington where it’s like Melrose Ave. and a swap meet all at once. Many of the shops are in old homes. It’s bustling – I’m glad we didn’t go on a weekend. My favorite shop is Fairy’s Pyjamas. Fair-trade clothes from Tibet. I bit the bullet and bought a cute top with a hood. I want a coat and thinking back I really should have just bought it so I don’t have to pay S&H. Maybe I’ll go back but again – fucking taxes.
I’m all for those high taxes, by the way, when the country in question is reaping the benefits as Canada is. I was just bitchy because I don’t get said benefits as I am not Canadian, but I do have to pay their taxes while I’m a guest in their country. I did go back and get the coat – it’s so warm and cozy!
Oh, and the bus ride was hilarious. I was too busy undressing this hot guy (with my eyes, alas) to notice that I passed my stop and wound up almost (but not quite) in the boonies. When I got off only to cross the street and hop right back on the opposite bus, my only explanation to the bus driver was, “I’m from L.A.”
He let me on.
So Kensington Market was a whole lot of fun, but it was plain to see why locals steer clear of it on the weekends. It’s visitors attraction is very high, not to mention teenagers who trek it out there from surrounding suburbs. Very hip place. Spice and I were spending the day together at the market before meeting up with G and Zooz at the CN Tower. We were getting peckish and decided on Tibet Cafe and smoothie bar since it offered decent vegetarian options.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Right away Spicy went with a strawberry-banana smoothie, which we contested tasted as it should: banana-y, strawberry and a hint of yogurt.
I waffled for quite some time, debating between pad Thai, soup and fried rice but ultimately went with chicken Pad Thai.
Chicken Pad Thai
This was good, but I wish I had known it came with bellpeppers as that is a deal breaker for me and I had to scoot them to the side. The heat was welcoming, as was the nicely cooked chicken and the fresh cilantro, but I still felt there was something missing – definitely could have used some crushed peanuts for texture.
Steamed Vegetarian Momo
Spicy ordered the vegetarian momo (steamed dumplings) which were stuffed with carrots, mushroom, dried seaweed, tofu, cabbage, yam, green onions served with side salad.
Though the service was slow, I don’t believe Spicy and I were in a terrible rush. It was a nice day and I even found the energy to walk to the CN Tower (said energy coming from my inner miserly Scrooge McDuck who did not want to pay for more transit). It should be noted that their website is very nicely designed, easy to navigate and obtain basic menu, hours, address and contact information.
Would I recommend/return to Tibet Cafe? Yes. The prices aren’t inflated and the ingredients are incredibly fresh. I’d like to try their hot & sour soup and shrimp fried rice one day.
Tibet Cafe And Bar
51 Kensington Avenue,
Toronto, ON, Canada
website
Open 7 days a week
12pm – 2am
